Located in a loft space in the Jewelry District, what I think is the Providence version of Brooklyn’s DUMBO (aka, Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighborhood, CAV which stands for Cocktails, Antiques, Victuals somehow manages to seamlessly combine intriguing and eclectic decor (you are surrounded by art from all over the globe!), incredibly delish eats and drinks, and tippity top notch service.

Now owned and operated by John Moubayed, the son of the late Sylvia Moubayed, the visionary who opened the restaurant back in 1989 (I can remember going to open mike nights in the main room during the early 1990’s with my then boyfriend and NOT appreciating the chandeliers nearly enough) and passed away unexpectedly in September 2017, they were the only local restaurant — that I’m aware of anyway — to install a whole new ventilation system during the summer of 2020 when many of us were in peak freak out mode over everything that was going on.

And I feel like they don’t get nearly enough attention or adoration on the local food scene: I mean, there’s nowhere else like it around these parts! It’s an enchanting spot you’d expect to find in DUMBO, SOHO, or Tribecca in the Big Apple.

We’ve had lunch in the lovely courtyard a number of times over the years (and it’s something I highly recommend doing this coming SPRING and SUMMER) and more recently, indoors which is marvelous with its sky high ceilings, objets d’art, and all that exposed brick.

As far as their menu, I was pretty jazzed to find a vegan burger. The side salad was calling, too, because well, as much as I enjoy fries, yours truly has been indulging in a few too many treat days lately. (I’m also a serious fan of their Italian tuna, the brushetta, and the waffles.)

Would LOVE to go back with a good friend and sample a few of the wonderful martinis from their cocktail menu in the not-too-distant-future. (Nothing like catching up with a trusted confidant in person over drinks, amirite?)

CAV is located at 14 Imperial Place in Providence.

As always, if you find yourself at CAV after reading this, please let them know your brunch, lunch, or dinner was inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.